LPG crunch drains flavour from houseboat experience in Kerala’s backwaters

A crippling shortage of LPG cylinders is fast draining the flavour out of one of Kumarakom’s signature experiences: a houseboat cruise across the vast Vembanad lake paired with a rich spread of backwater cuisine.

With cooking gas running dry, many houseboat operators have been forced to strip down their offerings to rides alone, while others have simply stopped taking bookings. Some, desperate to stay in the game, are turning to the black market, shelling out as much as ₹4,000 for a single cylinder.